So im looking to get rid of using my sterling 9.8 for alpine and ice use this year and switch over to a twin/half rope system for longer rappels, lighter weight and of course the benefits of using a half system. Im stuck between the Sterling 7.8 Photon and the metolius monster 7.8. The main reason im looking at the monster is because its 4g/m lighter then the sterling but have always been happy with my sterling ropes and have no experience with Metolius. Anyone have any experience with either rope? is there another brand I should be considering?

I've got the Monsters. Bought them for long ice/alpine routes where they are fantastic, but after using them on rock, I'm slightly less excited about their durability. I should qualify that statement though - I believe any ~7mm rope would be noticeably less durable than what you're used to with a fatter single rope.

My single is about ready to be retired so for this rock season I'm going with the Mammut 8.5 doubles (Genesis I think?) and leaving the super skinny cords for ice, for both durability reasons and also because falling on a 7.7mm rope scares the piss out of me. I've never fallen on ice (and don't plan to change that in the future) but do occasionally peel off climbing trad routes - I'd hate to have to boink up on something that resembles a shoelace.

If you don't need 70s, the Metolius Monster ropes are amazing. Extremely durable, best water-proofing in the business, handle well, all the good stuff.

If you need 70s, Tendon Masters or Sterling Photons in that order.

Regarding twins/doubles vs. single. Actually, a single, skinny (9.1 ish) single plus a 6ish mm retrieval cord IS lighter than even 7.8 doubles. Just depends on if you want/need to split the rope weight evenly and/or want to deal with a retrieval cord.

haha no I get that all will pack down that small but from my research the link and what others have said I think ill go with the photons since i get a pro deal on them. As for not just using a single with a pull line to save weight is I do like the idea of redundancy on long alpine routes as well as the ability for me and my partner to rap at the same time if we need to descend quickly.